Abahani imperious

Abahani winger Zahed Parvez (not in picture) scores the opening goal against Shuktara during their Citicell Bangladesh League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Holders Abahani maintained their superb unbeaten record in the Bangladesh League when they handed a convincing 3-0 defeat to Shuktara Jubo Sangsad at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The third win in as many matches in the ongoing league means Abahani extended their unbeaten run in the professional football league to 14, 11 of them achieved in the second edition of the prestigious league, and now share the top position with title contenders Mohammedan with a maximum nine points.
Shuktara Jubo Sangsad, on the other hand, lost their all three matches they played so far and stayed at the bottom with falling giants Muktijoddha Sangsad in the 13-team table.
Zahed Parvez Chowdhury, Ghanaian striker Sheriff Deen Mohammad and Enamul Haq struck one goal apiece in the Sky Blues' last match before a one-and-half month layoff of the league following the national players' preparation for the December SAFF Championship in Bangladesh.
The Dhanmondi-based outfit, Abahani, have so far played their finest game in this season with fine understanding among all three departments and the crisp passing and better movements dictated the match from the first to last. They had to be content with only three goals though it could have been doubled had their striking pair not squandered a series of scoring chances.
Abahani never felt the absence of their Ghanaian striker Awudu Ibrahim, who sustained an injury and has been sidelined since their second match. National striker Enamul and Sheriff developed a fine understanding to split the Shuktara backline several times and Abahani came close to taking a lead in the very sixth minute when Enamul advanced into the box to set up Sheriff, who drove lamely only to be blocked by goalkeeper Rashed Chowdhury. And four minutes later Mehdi Hasan Ujjal squandered a fine chance to disappoint the Sky Blues.
Thereafter, Enamul ran down the middle to enter the Shuktara box and released a fine minus for a free Zahed, who headed past the onrushing goalkeeper Rashed to give Abahani a lead in the 16th minute.
Young playmaker Shahedul Alam was the loveliest player on the pitch and led the attack with Sheriff twice going close to doubling the advantage, but both his headers went wide before left-back Atiqur Rahman Mishu struck the woodwork of the Narayanganj outfit in the stoppage time of the first half.
After resumption, Ghanaian Sheriff missed two easy chances as he failed to find the target despite beating substitute goalkeeper Al Amin before doubling the Abahani margin through a penalty shot.
Robin Hasan brought Shahed down inside the box and referee Abdul Hannan Miron awarded a penalty shot and Sheriff converted the 12-yard shot with an extremely powerful blast in the 53rd minute.
After going 2-0 up, Abahani brought change with Motinur Munna replacing Shahedul, who sustained an ankle injury and then Shuktara established a brief supremacy over their mighty opponents through controlling the midfield before conceding a third goal in the game.
From a counter attack, defender Samad Yousuf sent a long-ball to his compatriot Sherif, who ran past two defenders to advance into the danger zone and finally beat the goalkeeper to set Enamul in front of an open net and the national striker did not waste any time to find the back of the Shuktara Jubo Sangsad net.
Sheriff then should have made the margin 4-0, but the lanky striker despite getting goalkeeper Al Amin alone unbelievably sent the ball straight to the hands of the goalkeeper.

TEAMS
ABAHANI: Biplob (Zia), Rajanai, Mishu, Siraji, Zahed, Pranotosh (Nazrul), Ujjal, Shahed (Munna), Enamul, Samad and Sheriff.
SHUKTARA: Rashed (Al Amin), Sohidul, Koyser, Kashem, Robin, Biplob, Liton, Jahidul, Rizvi (Dalim), Tapu and Apu.
Yellow cards: Jahidul and Robin (Shuktara).
Referee: Abdul Hannan Miron.